Making Fun of Tibetan Buddhism or Just Innocent Fun?

[Mary Stuart]

Perhaps I am being over sensitive but you can be the judge.
Take a look at the new "Frosties" advert? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLufHSydCVY

I was half asleep when I saw it on TV, could not believe it, so I went to YouTube and there it was.

In my opinion it is an insult to Tibetan Buddhism & the Tibetan people. To me, it is making fun of a world religion.

If they depicted clergy from Christian, Jewish, Muslim or other faiths in this way, there would be an outcry.

I will be complaining to the Advertising Standards Authority in UK. http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/complaints_form/

You may think I am over reacting, but using adverts and caricatures of a race was once used by one of the most hiddeous regimes ever known, in order to dehumanize that race, resulting in the deaths of millions.

I would be very interested in your opinions.

Best wishes,
Mary.

[Dr Andrew McLellan]

Mary, I may be missing the point but, although I am a practising Tibetan Buddhist, I found it quite funny.
There did not seem to be any malevolent intent there.
I would be interested to hear the opinions of Tibetans though who may not have been so amused at a time when their homeland is suffering so much.
Andy

[Mary Stuart]

I'm afraid I do see something sinister and malevolent in this advert.
Humour and cartoons have been used to ridicule races before.

I find it interesting that this advert appears just at the time that Kellogs is expanding its business in China.

Having read the following articles, I am more concerned about the advert than I was before.

Kellogg's eyes China with cereal
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5156578.stm

Kellogg acquires Zhenghang Food Co. in China
http://www.procurement-online.com/news/7489

Kellogg Acquires Zhenghang Food in China
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1729646/

Kellogg Acquires Assets of Zhenghang Food Company, Leading Biscuit Manufacturer in China
http://www.smartbrief.com/news/gma/industryPR-detail.jsp?id=5488010...

I'm afraid I do not trust the Chinese Government when it comes to Tibet, or indeed any country.

Kind regards,
Mary.

[Mary Stuart]

I very much doubt they will show this in China, as the Chinese wouldn't eat Frosties, as they prefer warm breakfasts, and tourists already know the brand.
This is for western consumption.

I showed the clip to a number of people, most of whom are not involved with the Free Tibet movement. The general consensus was that it was distasteful and was intended to make fun of the Tibetans and their religious beliefs. One good point made, was that they would not dare to feature an Imam instead of the yellow hats, for fear of the repercussions.

I'm sorry - I find the advert an insult to all the monks, nuns and ordinary Tibetans who are suffering the most horrendous treatment at the hands of the Chinese. Children are dying, suffering frostbite to escape Tibet and Kellogs are selling Frosties by making fun of Tibetans.

They like most politicians, diplomats, and business people, Kellogs are kow towing to the Chinese, who are guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. for political gain and greed.

Best wishes,
Mary.

[Tibetan_Photo_Project]

I think its ok when we smile at ourselves on any level. On the other hand if this offends, you have to decide if promoting it to fight it is worth the effort or if there are other places to better spend energy?

What we have seen, when protests get loud, they reach outside the issue and they then get covered by the mainstream media... and when that happens, it also promotes that which you would prefer is not seen....

I would suggest, you can choose to be offended... and it may even be offensive, but is it more offensive than China's human rights violations and where is the best place to spend energy?

[Tibetan_Photo_Project]

Based on the wording of your question, it is not innocent fun that they have done, it is just uneducated ignorant fun that they attempted ...

[Sunrise - Flame of Tibet, Birmingham]

Gosh, I was totally amazed! I don't know what to make of it.
I did see some positives -
Mr Kelloggs is sent to learn good Tibetan ways of life, discipline etc but can't! maybe because he (mr kelloggs) is in a a joint project with china? and we all know they have no constraint, no discipline and no decent way of life! Just proves a point to me, kelloggs and china are merciless and don't really care about anyone.

Sun

[Mary Stuart]

I take the points made by the Tibetan_Photo_Project, but I also listen to the words of HH Dalai Lama

"Motivation is very important, and thus my simple religion is love, respect for others, honesty: teachings that cover not only religion but also the fields of politics, economics, business, science, law, medicine-everywhere. With proper motivation these can help humanity…"

Mary.

[Sunrise - Flame of Tibet, Birmingham]

sadly, the only thing that motivates companies like kelloggs is money! they have no ethos or morals.
I've just told the kids that they have sent the tiger to Tibet because it's the best place to learn about love and patience, but as he's a greedy tiger he doesn't learn at all. - So we can still get a good message out about it :-)
Sun
x

[Mary Stuart]

It takes very little effort to have an advert taken off air. Just fill in the complaint form, and if the
Advertising Standards Authority in UK receive a sufficient number of complaints, they make a decision whether to take the advert off air.
Quick, easy, no media, just a panel that makes the decision.

I might lose if too few people complain, but at least I will have made my feelings known.

Kind regards,
Mary Stuart.

[dina g.]

innocent fun!

[Dr Andrew McLellan]

Yes humour and cartoons have been used to ridicule races in the past but I don't think this was the intention here. Ignorant, yes, malevolent, no.

Sadly the big companies will go wherever the money is and China is the biggest untapped market. I am not convinced there is a correlation between the advert and their activities in China. Their activities in China provide a much better reason to me to boycott their products, but then I only eat organic oats - and yes I do like lentils and have a beard and sandals ;-).
It is also, IMHO, a better subject for discussion. Money seems to lay waste to moral principles.

No, they would not have used an Imam, but they could well have used a vicar or priest. Do we really want to go down the intolerant route? As someone, Sun?, said - lets save our energy for the more important fights and go for the jugular rather than the capillary. Mary, I am grateful to you for bringing it to our attention and for inviting me back to the discussion, but lets focus on the Chinese government and leave the multi-nationals for the anti-globalisation lobby.

Andy

[Dr Andrew McLellan]

David, you make some good points so ramble on, as Led Zeppelin said once...
Perhaps we do need to make our feelings known to those companies who are making huge deals with China despite the human rights abuses. In Capitalism, it is us as consumers, or potential consumers - they don't have to know we wouldn't go near their soggy, sugar crusted nasty cereals with a bargepole - that can wield power in enough numbers. If companies realise that dealing with China is going to provoke antagonism from the British, and other western, public, they may think twice. Just as companies have to put a green spin on their products now because of hard won victories in the 80s and 90s, and Nestle suffered because of their powdered milk to Africa policy, so we can make it clear that companies equally need to consider the social justice implications of their commercial activities.
Andy